Press Release

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Major funding for Professor David Joly

David Joly, a professor in the Université de Moncton’s biology department, has received $498,086 in funding to finance the purchase of leading-edge technology to support his research on the interactions between plants and microorganisms.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund has provided funding of $234,043 to Professor Joly, while the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation has committed matching funds. The Université de Moncton, meanwhile, will provide $30,000 toward the project.

“This funding is clear evidence that the Université de Moncton’s faculty is committed to the advancement of scientific research,” said Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor. “To properly carry out work at this level, our researchers must be well equipped. On behalf of the Université de Moncton, I would like to sincerely thank the agencies who contributed to the funding of this research.”

Professor Joly’s interests focus mainly on the mechanisms by which plants resist diseases, as well as on the ways in which certain pathogens overcome these defence mechanisms. To disrupt the plant’s immune system, the pathogens secrete proteins called effectors inside host tissue. A better understanding of how these effectors work will bring new clarity on plant defence mechanisms.

Professor Joly’s current work focuses on two important crops in New Brunswick: potatoes and cannabis.

The funds received by Professor Joly will go toward acquiring a laser scanning confocal microscope, an instrument crucial for studying in detail how effectors work inside plant cells from both spatial and temporal viewpoints.

The findings thanks to the help of this instrument could lead to the development of new control methods for diseases in important agricultural crops.



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